The Nigerian Navy has arraigned 16 foreign nationals before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers state for suspected maritime offences.
The suspects are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing, attempt to deal in crude oil and false pretence after being caught onboard a vessel, MT HEROIC IDUN at Akpo oilfield within Rivers State on August 7, 2022, by the Nigerian Navy.
In the charges read in the case between Federal Government vs MT HEROIC IDUN and 16 on Monday, the foreigners had, sometime in August 2022, at Akpo Oilfield in Rivers State within Nigeria Exclusive Economic Zone, conspired amongst themselves and committed maritime offence.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the which are said to contravene Section 10 of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act 2019.
Trial Judge, Turaki Muhammed, after listening to the prosecution’s application on the amended charge, ordered that the suspects be remanded in a Nigerian Navy vessel to enable ten other suspects to be brought to court to take plea.
Justice Muhammed, who adjourned the case to November 15, advised that the accused be allowed to see their lawyers and receive medical attention if the need arises.
Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Abidenmi Adewumi-Aluko urged the court to allow the amended charges and ordered that the suspects be taken to the vessel.
The defence counsel, Udoka Ezeobi did not oppose the proposition which was subsequently granted by the court before the adjournment.
The Navy said the suspects, who were mainly Sri Lankan, Indians were arrested after an investigation showed that they entered the Akpo oilfield without authorisation or clearance by relevant government agencies.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after proceedings, the Captain of the Vessel, Mehta Tanuj shortly said he and his crew are innocent as they were just following orders from higher authorities.
“We came to Nigeria on August 8. We had a misunderstanding at the terminal and the documents, which were supposed to be filed by the ship’s agents, but there were some misunderstandings relating to the document and in the night we had an incident with the vessel, which then we did not know was the Nigerian Navy. As guided by my higher authority and owners, we managed to take all the advice from them and on August 12, we were arrested by the Equatorial Guinea Navy Ship and taken to Equatorial Guinea on August 14. We were there and later handed over to the Nigerian Navy.
“We have no misunderstanding, I and the ship crew, we are innocent. We were just following orders, which have been provided for us.”
The Navy said MT HEROIC IDUN vessel is currently being held at the Luba Anchorage in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, where the country is conducting her own investigation, while they await diplomatic procedures for handing over to the Nigerian Navy.
